Gauge plate assembly



March 29, 1949.

Filed Aug, 28, 194'? T. W. HAYS GAUGE PLATE ASSEMBLY lnsala'on.

2 Sheets-Sheet l T. w. HAYs 2,465,802

GAUGE PLATE ASSEMBLY 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 March 29, 1949.

Filed Aug"- 2s,y 1947 uN N NNQNNBNSMSN Patented Mar. 29, 1949 Thomas W. Hays, Salt` Lake City, Utah, .assignor to The Union Switch .and Signal Company, Swissvale, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Application August 28, 1947, Serial No. 770,992

My invention relates to a gauge plate assembly efor railway switches, and particularly to a gauge plate assembly which `can be adjusted for use with any size of stock rail and with either a right-hand or a left-hand turnout.

It is a common expedient in railway switch layouts to provide one or more of the ties in the vicinity of the switch points with a gauge plate assembly for maintaining the lproper angular relationship and spacing between the turnout stock rail and the through stock rail. These `gauge plate assemblies `usually comprise a two-part gauge plate secured to the ties underneath the rails, two riser plates one for each stock rail and each secured to or formed integrally with the upper side of the gauge plate in abutting engagement with the inner base ange of the associated rail, and two rail braces, one for each stock rail and each secured to the upper side of the gauge plate in abutting engagement with the outer vside of the associated rail. 1t will be obvious that since one of the stock rails in each switch layout is inclined at an .angle to the other, the riser plates and rail braces associated with the inclined rail must be similarly inclined in their abutting edges, and it follows therefore that the usual gauge plate assembly made up .for use with a right-.hand turnout rail could knot be employed with a left-hand turnout rail, and vice versa.

One object of my invention 'is to provide a novel and improved gauge plate assembly which can be used with either .a .right-hand or a left-hand turnont.

Another object of my invention is to provide a gauge plate assembly of 'the type above referred to which can be .adjusted for use with different sizes of stock rails.

According to my invention the riser plate which is adapted .to .abut against the inclined turnout stock rail is provided on the edge which coop-4 erates with the turnout rail with a double taper .so disposed that the one taper will bear .against the rail when the lgauge plate assembly is used with a right-hand turnout and the other taper will bear against the .raill when the gauge plate assembly is turned end for end and used with a left-hand turnout. Furthermore, the rail brace which cooperates with the outer side of the turnout stock rail is so constructed that it can be clamped in different angular positions to enable .it to .be used with both right-hand and left-hand turnouts. The difference in spacing between the riser plates vnecessary to compensate for diierent rail ,sizes 'is obtained 'by interposing between two parts of the gauge plate an insulating joint, the

'8 Claims. (Cl. 23S-28S) f` thickness of which is increased or decreased as required.

Other objects and characteristic features of my invention will become apparent as the description proceeds.

I shall describe one form of railway switch provided with one form of gauge plate assembly embodying my invention, and shall then point out the novel features thereof in claims.

' In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a top plan view showing a railway switch, two of the supporting ties of which are provided with gauge plate assemblies C embodying my invention. Figs. 2 and 3 are top plan and side elevational views respectively of 'one of the gauge plate assemblies shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 `is an enlarged view of a portion of one of the gauge plate assemblies shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a vertical sectionalview taken `on the line V-V of Fig. l.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts in `each of the several views.

Referring first to Fig. 1, the reference character A designates a railway switch comprising, as usual, two Xed stock rails l and la and two movable rails or switch points 2 and 2a. The stock rails i and la. are laid on tie plates 3 and gauge plates 4 secured to crossties 5 in the customary marmer. The movable rails 2 and 2a. are fastened together by a front rod 6 and a head rod l, and may be moved into a normal or a reverse position by means of a throw rod 8 which is connected with the head rod l through the medium of a switch basket 9. When the switch occupies its normal position, in which position it is shown in the drawing, the movable rail 2 engages the stock rail l, and the movable rail 2a is spaced from the stock rail la. When the switch is reversed, however, the movable rail 2a then rengages the stock rail la, and the movable rail 2 is 4spaced from the stock rail I.

The throw rod 8 may be connected with any suitable lorm of switch operating mechanism B. Mechanism B Viorms no part of my present invention, and as here shown, it is similar to that described and claimed in Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,184,870, granted December 26, 1939, to Herbert L. Bone et al.

The gauge plate assemblies C embody my present invention, and as here shown, each assembly C comprises a three-part gauge plate designated as a whole by the reference character 4 and comprising two base plates 4a and 4b and a connecting plate 4c. The plates la and 4h are secured together in longitudinal alignment at a point in- Y termediate the rails l and la by an insulating right angles to the stock rail ICL, and since the rail I is disposed at an angle to the rail Ia at this tie, it will be obvious that the rail I crosses the gauge plate at a diierent angle from that at which the rail la crosses the gauge plate; i. e. at an angle other than a right angle.

Secured to or formed integrally with the base plate 4a is a riser plate I2, the outer edge I2a of which is adapted to abut against the inner edge of the base of stock rail Ia. The outer end of plate 4a is provided on its top surface with a butt 15l plate I3, the inner edge I3a of which forms the abutting surface for the outer end of any suitable type of adjustable rail brace I4 (see Figs. l and 5). Rail brace I4 is secured to the base plate 4a between the butt plate I3 and the outer 20 side of the stock rail I a and serves to Wedge the rail Ia against the outer edge I2a of riser plate I2 in a well-known manner.

Plate 4b is provided on its top surface with an aiiixed or integrally formed riser plate I5, the

outer edge I5a of which is provided with a doubletaper. One-half of the double-tapered edge I5a is adapted to abut against the inner edge of the base of the turnout stock rail I when the layout is a right-hand layout as shown, and the other half of the double-tapered edge is adapted to abut against the inner edge of the turnout rail base when the gauge plate assembly C is turned end for end and employed in a left-hand layout.

The two halves of the double-tapered edge I5a 35 make equal and opposite angles with a plane parallel to the through rail and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gauge plate.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that a gauge plate assembly having an aiTixed riser plate, lo

such as plate I5, for engaging the inner base ange of a switch turnout stock rail in the manner above described is capable of being employed irrespective of the direction of the rail turnout.

However, when such a riser plate is employed, it

is necessary in order to maintain the proper rail spacing at the particular tie location to provide a, suitable means for wedging the turnout stock rail against one of the halves of the doubletapered edge I5a of the riser plate. To accom- Y@50 plish this wedging of turnout rail I, I have here shown and designated generally by the reference character I6 one form of adjustable rail brace disposed on the top surface of base plate 4b adjacent the outer side of rail I.

As best shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the rail brace I 6 consists of a hacker member I'I supported by the base plate 4b, a butt plate I8 alixed to the plate 4b adjacent the outer end I'Ia of member I'I and a wedge member I9 interposed between the tapered inner face I'Ib of member II and the outer side of rail I. Wedge member I9 is slidably .mounted on a bolt 20 extending through an elongated hole 'Illa in the member I9, the bolt being supported in and extending through a 65 member is parallel to bolt 20 and shaped to 70 cooperate with the outer side of rail I.

Wedge member I9 is secured on the bolt 20 by a nut 2| which when tightened on the threaded end of the bolt acts through spring washer 22 and fiat washer 23 to move the member I9 lengthwise 75 4 and, due to the cooperation of inclined face I9b with inclined face I'Ib of member I'I, toward the rail I. Backer member I1 and butt plate I8 are provided with mating outer and inner ends, I'Ia and I8a, respectively, which are shaped along the arc of a circle whose center is the midpoint of the double tapered edge I5a of riser plate I5. Member I1 is provided with clearance holes I'Id through which hold-down bolts 24 extend and 0 which holes Ild are elongated along an arc similar to that of outer end I 'Ia of member I l. Bolts 24 pass through clearance holes in the plate 4b and the tie is recessed at 25 (see Fig. 5) for the heads of same. Nuts 26 when tightened on the threaded ends of bolts 24 act through washers 21 to secure the hacker member II in place on the base plate 4b.

Engagement of the turnout stock rail I by the rail brace I6 is effected as follows. The nuts 26 are first loosened, and the backer member Il with attached wedge member I9 is then shifted relative to the base plate 4b to the position in which the inner face I9c of the wedge member is parallel to the rail I. The nut 2| is next tightened on the bolt 20, thereby forcing member I9 to the position in which it is rmly wedged between rail I and backer member I1 and, nally, the parts are secured in place by tightening the nuts 26 on bolts 24, the position of the parts attained being that shown in Fig. 4, It will be obvious that when the gauge plate assembly C is turned end for end and employed in a left-hand switch turnout, the rail brace I6 can be similarly positioned and secured for engagement with the turnout rail merely by shifting the member I'I in the opposite direction to the position in which face I9c is parallel to the left-hand turnout rail.

As was previously pointed out, the two base plates 4a and 4b of gauge plate 4 are secured together intermediate their ends by means of an insulating joint I D. This joint functions to insulate one rail from the other and also to compensate for the slight differences in spacing between the two base plates occasioned by the use of the same gauge plate assembly with different sizes of stock rails. The construction of the joint I D is well known, and a detailed description of this joint is therefore believed to be unnecessary for purposes of my present invention. It should be pointed out, however, that the joint is formed by clamping insulation between upturned ends 28 and 29 of plates 4a and 4b, respectively, through the medium of insulated bolts 30. In accordance with my present invention, it is contemplated that the thickness of the insulation o spectively, is obtained for a particular size of stock rail.

It will be obvious that the stock rail spacings at various tie locations containing the gauge plate assemblies C vary between switch layouts having diierent angles of turnout and also between the adjacent ties of any one layout. Therefore, if, as is usually the case, these variations in stock rail spacing are of such magnitude as to preclude the use of the same assembly C at different locations merely by varying the -thickness of the insulation in the joint I0, the employment of different assemblies at different tie locations is necessitated. It will be apparent, however, that either of the base plates 4a and 4b can be maintained standard for all tie locations while the other is varied. In

@the particular embodiment of mynvention 'shown 2in the :drawings I prefer .to provide similarly com structed plates `y4d and vdifferent plates 54h with riser plate and `rail brace `spacings lvarying as the stock rail spacing varies.

Each gauge plate assembly SC 'is provided with holes 3i :for receiving -any suitable fastening means, :such 4as lag `screws 32., for securing the `plate 4 to the tie 55 and the rail `brace M place on ibase plate :4a. Each assembly C is also provided with elongated holes 33 in the riser plates l2 and l5 through which spikes may be driven in the 4event it is desired to spike the switch points in the normal or reverse positions.

The part 4c of each gauge plate il may or may not be provideddepending on whether or not the tie containing the gauge plate also serves to sup- Aport the switch operating mechanism B. In the `event part lic is provided, it -is attached at its fouter `end in any suitable manner (not shown.) to` mechanism B. This is considered desirable to prevent lateral movement vof mechanism Bion ties y5 relative to the switch.

The principal advantage `of ,a gauge plate iassembly embodying my invention is that since the same assembly can be used for both right-hand and left-hand turnouts considerable savings in manufacture costs for the assemblies can be obtained.

Another advantage of my invention is that since the same gauge plate assembly can be used with a plurality of different sizes of stock rails merely by varying the insulation thickness of the insulating connection between the two rails supporting parts of the gauge plate, the number of different sizes of assemblies required for different track installations is greatly lessened, whereby a further saving in manufacturing costs is effected. Although I have herein shown and described only one form of gauge plate assembly embodying my i.'

invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. Apparatus for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the two stock rails of a track switch, comprising 9, first rail-engaging member having a surface adapted to abut against the through stock rail and a second rail-engaging member formed with two plane surfaces making equal and opposite angles with a plane parallel to the through stock rail, one of said surfaces being adapted to abut against the turnout stock rail when the turnout is a. right-hand lturnout and the other adapted to abut against the turnout stock rail when the turnout is a left-hand turnout, and a gauge plate to which said members are rigidly attached.

2. Apparatus for spacing apart the two stock rails of a track switch, comprising two members for respectively engaging the opposite rails, the one of said members for engaging the turnout stock rail being formed with two tapered surfaces making equal and oposite angles with a plane parallel to the through stock rail, one of said surfaces being adapted to abut against the rail when the turnout is a right-hand turnout and the other adapted to abut against the rail when the turnout is a left-hand turnout, and means for rigidly supporting said members.

3. Apparatus for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the stock rails of a track switch, comprising a first rail-engaging member adapted yito 'abut against 'the iii-'mer Aedge of fthe 'through stock rail, a second railengaging member fiorm'ed lwith two tapered surfaces making 'equal and opposite Iangles with -a plane 'parallel to the through -stc'c'k -one -of said sur-faces being adapted 'to abut against the inner edge of the turnout fstock rail when `the turnout is a right-hand turnout the other adapted to abut against `the inner edge of the turnout stock rail when `rthe turnout ii-s a lett-hand turnout, `mea-ns capable -oi wed-ging said turriout'rail'against eitherone of said tapered surfaces, and means for rigidly supporting said members in a ideiinitespaced relationship.

4. In an assembly for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the two stock rails fof la track switch, in Acomloic-ration, a gauge plate, a first riser plate -aflixed to said `gauge plate and iadapted to abut Lagainst the inner edge' of the through stock rail, and a second riser plate affixedl to said gauge plate for `'engaging the turnout stock rail, said second riser plate having its rail-engauging edge formed with two tapered surfaces making equal and opposite angles with a plane parallel lto the through stock rail, one of said surfaces being adapted to abut against the inner edge of the turnout rail when the turnout is 'a right-hand turnout and the other adapted to 'abut 'against the inner edge :off the turnout rail when the turnout is a leftehand turnout.

5. A gauge plate assembly for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the :two stock rails of a railway track switch, comprising a gauge plate, means attached to the gauge plate for engaging both sides of the through stock rail to hold it fixed on the gauge plate, a riser plate attached to the gauge plate for engaging the inner side of the turnout stock rail, said riser plate having its rail engaging edge formed with two plane surfaces making equal and opposite angles with a plane perpendicular :to the longitudinal axis of the gauge plate, one adapted. to engage the turnout rail of a. right-hand turnout and the other adapted to engage the turnout rail of a left-hand turnout, a rail brace for Ithe outer side of the turnout rail including a butt plate attached to the gauge plate having a surface of arcuate crosssection facing the rail and with its center of curvature at the intersection of the planes of said surfaces, a loa-cker member between the butt plate and the rail having its end facing away from the rail shaped to conform with said butt plate surface and having its end facing the rail tapered, a Wedge member slidable between the hacker member and the rail, and means for securing the wedge member against movement relative to the backer member.

6. A gauge plate assembly for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the two stock rails of a railway track switch, comprising a gauge plate, means attached to the gauge plate for engaging both sides of the through stock rail to hold it fixed on the gauge plate, a riser plate attached to the gauge plate for engaging the inner side of the turnout stock rail, said riser plate having its rail engaging edge formed with two plane surfaces making equal and opposite angles with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gauge plate, one adapted to engage the turnout rail of a right-hand turnout and the other adapted to engage the turnout rail of a left-hand turnout, and a rail brace for the outer side of the turnout rail including a butt plate attached to the gauge plate having a surface of arcuate cross-section facing the rail and.v

with its center of curvature at the intersection Cifr the planes of said surfaces.

7. A gauge plate assembly for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the two stock rails of a railway track switch, comprising a gauge plate, -means attached to the gauge plate for engaging both sides of the through stock rail to hold it fixed on the gauge plate, a riser plate attached to the gauge plate for engaging the inner side of the turnout stock rail, said riser plate having its rail engaging edge formed with two tapered surfaces making equal and opposite angles with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gauge plate, one adapted to engage the turnout rail of a right-hand turnout and the other adapted to engage the turnout rail of a left-hand turnout, and a rail brace attached to the gauge plate for engaging the outer side of the turnout rail.

8. A gauge plate assembly for maintaining a predetermined spacing between the two stock rails of a railway track switch, comprising a gauge plate, means attached to the gauge plate for engaging both sides of the through stock rail to hold it fixed on the gauge plate, a riser plate attached to the gauge plate for engaging the inner side of the turnout stock rail, said riser plate having its rail engaging edge formed with two tapered surfaces making equal and opposite angles with a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the gauge plate, one adapted to engage the turnout rail of a right-hand turnout and the other adapted to engage the turnout rail of a left-hand turnout, a rail brace attached to the gauge plate for engaging the outer side of the turnout rail, and means for adjusting the brace toward the rail so that rails of different sizes may be clamped between the brace and the riser plate.

THOMAS W. HAYS.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the ie of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 564,350 Vaughan July 21, 1896 896,049 Whiteman Aug. 11, 1908 919,757 Peaslee Apr. 27, 1909 1,312,264 McCaulley Aug. 5, 1-919 1,802,121 McClurg Apr. 21, 1931 1,987,033 Stewart Jan. 8, 1935 2,036,200 Eastburn Apr. 7, 1936 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 548,268 Great Britain Oct. 2, 1942 

